Black History Month 2026 events in Knoxville: art, forums, movies

Jan. 30, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET

Throughout February, galleries, community spaces and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville are hosting events where you can reflect, learn and celebrate the enduring contributions, creativity and resilience of Black communities this Black History Month.

Some of the observances this year include art exhibitions exploring identity and memory, conversations about Reconstruction and entrepreneurship, and even Black love stories. Additional events and programming presented by Beck Culture Exchange Center will be the end of January.

Check out these local Black History Month events to add to your calendar.

If you would like to see your Black History Month event added to this list, email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.

Through Feb. 18 | UT Downtown Gallery

The exhibition by artists Donté K. Hayes and Kevin Kao at UT Downtown Gallery explores how objects can be a conduit to cultural, social and personal reflection. Through the use of abstract sculpture, the exhibition opens the viewer to reconsider race and identity as markers for welcoming and belonging.

Hayes hosts an artist lecture at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at McCarty Auditorium.

Gallery Hours | 11a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; 2-9 p.m. First Friday
Address | 106 S. Gay St.

Feb. 6-May 3 | Knoxville Museum of Art

This exhibition features works by international contemporary Black artists who use glass to explore social, cultural, gender and racial identity. Glass is an effective medium to examine notions of identity and the theory of double consciousness because of its reflectivity and translucence, according to the Knoxville Museum of Art. The theory of double consciousness is presented by W.E.B. Du Bois in his work, “The Souls of Black Folk.”

An opening reception for the exhibit is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the museum. The reception is free and open to the public.

Gallery hours | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Address | 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive

Feb. 7 | The Bottom

Author and UT professor Robert Bland discusses his book “Requiem for Reconstruction,” which chronicles the Reconstruction era’s legacy and key Black figures who saw Reconstruction as a defining political movement and shaped postbellum Black America.

Tickets | Pay what you can; $35 for general admission plus a copy of the book
Time | 3-5 p.m. Feb. 7
Address | 2340 E. Magnolia Ave.

Feb. 13 | McClung Tower and Plaza

The University of Tennessee honors the 19th-century author, statesman and activist Frederick Douglass by celebrating his birthday and transcribing digitized historical records at UT’s annual Douglass Day transcribe-a-thon. Although Douglass never knew his birth date, he chose to celebrate every year on Feb. 14.

The transcribe-a-thon brings together thousands of participants at more than 100 simultaneous events around the world to help to transcribe a collection of papers left by Douglass that have been digitized and made available through collaborations with the Library of Congress and the ByThePeople platform, making Black literary history more accessible.

Feb. 19 | UT Student Union

This lecture presented by Kendra Boyd explores the often-overlooked aspect of the Great Migration of African Americans who left the South to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities and viewed business as key to Black liberation. Tracing Black entrepreneurs across the migration provides key insights into modern urban history, African Americans’ activism for racial and economic justice, and continued racialized wealth disparities in the United States.

Time | 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 19
Address | 1502 Cumberland Ave.

Feb. 21 | The Bottom

Enjoy a cozy evening at The Bottom centered on Black love, connection and community with a screening of “Love, Brooklyn” as part of the community space’s Black History Month programming.

There will be movie snacks, a special menu of cocktails and mocktails and the opportunity to shop for lifestyle and wellness goods.

Cost | Pay what you can; $30-$40 for admission plus a book
Time | 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21
Address | 2340 E. Magnolia Ave.

Through May | Hodges Library

Renowned 20th-century painter and Knoxville native Beauford Delaney is the subject of a new exhibition at Hodges Library, “Beauford Delaney: Light Beyond the Canvas.” Using a mix of personal writings and sketches, photographs, letters, press clippings, flyers and other materials, the exhibit introduces you to Delaney’s childhood in Knoxville and takes you through his art journey from New York to Paris.

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